The Spartans F.C.

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Not to be confused with Sparta F.C., AC Sparta Prague, or Sparta Rotterdam.
For the English team known as 'Spartans F.C. between 1880 to 1883, see Swindon Town F.C.
This article is about the men's football club based in Edinburgh. For the women's team, see Spartans W.F.C.

The Spartans
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Full nameThe Spartans Football Club
Founded1951; 75 years ago (1951)
GroundAinslie Park, Edinburgh
Capacity3,612 (534 seated)
ChairmanCraig Graham
ManagerDouglas Samuel
LeagueScottish League Two
2024–25Scottish League Two, 5th of 10
Websitehttp://www.spartansfc.com/

The Spartans Football Club are a Scottish football club based in Edinburgh and currently compete in Scottish League Two. They were formed in 1951 by ex-players of Edinburgh University and the original intention was the team would be exclusively graduates of the university. However, the club is now open to players of any background. Spartans play at Ainslie Park and wear white shirts, red shorts and white socks.[1]

The senior team plays in Scottish League Two, and are managed by Dougie Samuel. They joined the Lowland League in 2013, after playing in the East of Scotland Football League, where it had become one of its most successful clubs from the 1970s onwards. Spartans have been allowed to play in the qualifying rounds of the Scottish Cup since 1978 and qualified for the cup proper on several occasions during their junior days.

Spartans entered their top amateur side into the SJFA East Region junior setup in 2009, but withdrew in 2013. Spartans also have an Under-20 squad in the Lowlands U20s Development League, a Saturday amateur side, a Sunday amateur side and several women's teams, including The Spartans W.F.C.

Spartans chairman Craig Graham was appointed MBE in 2017 for his service to the community of North Edinburgh.[2]

In 2023, Spartans were promoted to Scottish League Two after overcoming Albion Rovers in the play-offs.

History

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Scottish Cup

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The Spartans' most successful Scottish Cup run was in 2003–04, when they defeated Buckie Thistle 6–1 in front of a crowd of 450 in Edinburgh in the first round, before defeating Alloa Athletic 5–3 in a replay (the first game had been drawn 3–3) in Edinburgh in the second round. They then defeated Arbroath (who had been in the SFL First Division only the year before) 4–1 at Gayfield Park in the third round, before being beaten 4–0 at home by Scottish Premier League team Livingston in front of a full house of 3,000 fans at City Park.

Two seasons later in 2005–06, Spartans defeated Berwick Rangers, Lossiemouth and Queen's Park in the first three rounds of the Scottish Cup. They drew 0–0 with First Division side St Mirren in the last sixteen in front of 3,326 fans at City Park, earning a replay at Love Street, where they lost 3–0.

In the 2008–09 Scottish Cup, Spartans' cup run sent them to Pollok, winning through a replay, they then beat Annan Athletic 2–1. In the next round they beat Elgin City 2–1, before being knocked out by Airdrie United in the fourth round.

Jamie Dishington of The Spartans in a match against Aberdeen in September 2024. Jamie can be seen in a blue jersey with the number 7 on his shorts. The Bitcoin Cash logo can be seen on his left sleeve. He is fending off an Aberdeen player dressed in a red uniform.
Jamie Dishington of The Spartans in a match against Aberdeen in September 2024

Spartans, along with four other clubs, submitted an application for entry into the Scottish Football League following Gretna relinquishing their league status on 3 June 2008.[3] Spartans lost out to Annan Athletic.

In November 2008, Spartans moved to a new purpose-built home at Ainslie Park, situated 500 yards from City Park in the Crewe Toll district of Edinburgh. The new facility includes a 504-seater stand and floodlights surrounding the main stadium pitch and an adjacent, full size artificial pitch with floodlights. Ainslie Park is now used daily by youth and adult Spartans teams, along with the general public. The club also won the league title this season.

In the 2009–10 season, Spartans won the quadruple, consisting of the East of Scotland Premier Division, the SFA South Challenge Cup, the King Cup and the League Cup. The 2009–10 league title gave Spartans back to back title wins for the first time since 2005.

During the 2010–11 season, Spartans won their third league title in a row. The next season they lost the league title on goal difference to Stirling University, while in the 2012–13 season, they finished third in the league.

Lowland League (2013–2023)

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Spartans joined the newly formed Lowland Football League for the 2013–14 season, winning the inaugural title. They finished as runners-up in 2015–16 and won the League Cup a year later, before becoming Lowland League champions for a second time in 2017–18. This allowed Spartans to take part in the Pyramid play-off, however they lost 5–2 on aggregate to Cove Rangers.

The club progressed to the fifth round (last 16) of the 2014–15 Scottish Cup, defeating Clyde and Morton en route.[4]

In the fifth round of the competition, Spartans forced a replay with Berwick Rangers on 7 February 2015, thanks to an injury time equaliser from Ally MacKinnon to level the tie at 1–1, the game being played in front of 2,504 supporters at Ainslie Park.[5][6]

In the 2022–23 season, Spartans won the Lowland League title for a third time. During that season's Pyramid play-offs they defeated Highland League champions Brechin City 4–3 on penalties before defeating Albion Rovers 2–1 on aggregate in the final to progress to Scottish League Two.

SPFL (2023–present)

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Following a Blair Henderson penalty kick winner against Albion Rovers to seal promotion to the SPFL and into Scotland's fourth tier, Spartans went on to have a very successful season. The club would finish third, only 10 points less than eventual winners Stenhousemuir. This earned Spartans a play-off place at the first time of asking, giving them the opportunity for back-to-back promotions into League One. Having beaten Peterhead and qualified for the final, they would suffer defeat at the hands of Dumbarton, 4–3 on aggregate.

In their second season in League Two, 2024–25, the goal for Spartans was solidifying their status within the SPFL. They finished in fifth place and narrowly missed out on another play-off opportunity.

Stadium

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Main article: Ainslie Park

Ainslie Park on Pilton Drive in north Edinburgh is the home ground of Spartans. The stadium has a capacity of 3,612 (504 seated). Ainslie Park is only part of the new project that Spartans have invested into their new ground, a wider development of the Spartans Community Football Academy. The new facility incorporates a fully enclosed stadium which meets SFA and SPFL criteria, with an artificial pitch, floodlights, seating for 504 spectators and an overall capacity of 3,612. Another full size, floodlit artificial pitch sits adjacent to the main playing area and the accommodation incorporates six changing rooms, a club room, committee room and a physio room. The Club ground holds a P.A system and a bar for spectators.

In March 2017, Edinburgh City reached an agreement with Spartans to use Ainslie Park ground for three seasons while Meadowbank Stadium was being redeveloped.[7]

Senior squad

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As of 6 September 2025[8]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Blair Carswell
2 DF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Kieran Watson
3 DF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Callum Booth
4 MF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Sean Welsh
5 DF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Jordan Tapping
6 MF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Bailey Dall
7 MF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Jamie Dishington
8 MF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Murray Aiken
9 FW File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Marc McNulty
10 FW File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Mackenzie Scott
11 FW File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Cammy Russell
12 DF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Kenzi Nair (co-operation loan with Hearts)
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 DF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Ayrton Sonkur
17 MF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Archie Wylie
18 MF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Brogan Walls
19 DF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Ethan Drysdale
20 FW File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Given Ndlovu
21 GK File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Paddy Martin
23 DF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Kevin Waugh (captain)
28 MF File:Flag of England.svg ENG James Craigen
29 FW File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Mark Stowe
33 MF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Bradley Whyte
44 DF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Paul Watson

On loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO James Clare (on loan at Musselburgh Athletic)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF File:Flag of Scotland.svg SCO Josh Laing (on loan at Bonnyrigg Rose)

Coaching staff

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Position Name
Sporting director Mixu Paatelainen
Manager Douglas Samuel
Assistant manager Darren Cameron
First team coaches Chris Anderson
Paul Thomson
Goalkeeping coach Steven Ellison
Physiotherapists Craig Samuel
Sophie Marr

Honours

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League

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Lowland Football League

East of Scotland Football League

  • Winners (9): 1971–72, 1983–84, 1996–97, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11
  • Runners-up (7): 1977–78, 1984–85, 1992–93, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2006–07, 2011–12

Cup

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SFA South Region Challenge Cup

  • Winners (4): 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2022–23

Lowland League Cup

  • Winners: 2016–17

East of Scotland Qualifying Cup

  • Winners (10): 1983–84, 1989–90, 1995–96, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2010–11, 2016–17, 2018–19[9]

East of Scotland City Cup

  • Winners (3): 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07

East of Scotland League Cup

  • Winners (5): 2003–04, 2004–05, 2009–10, 2010–11[10]

King Cup

  • Winners (12): 1973–74, 1977–78, 1987–88, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13

Ronnie Swan Challenge Cup

  • Winners (2): 2009, 2015

Notable players

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The former Scotland international Eamonn Bannon had a spell playing for Spartans in the 1990s.

Women's football

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Main article: Spartans W.F.C.

Spartans Football Club Women's and Girls is a women's football team that plays in the Scottish Women's Premier League, the top division of women's football in Scotland. Spartans F.C. Women is part of Spartans F.C. in North Edinburgh and play and train at the club's training facilities.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Club history page, "spartansfc.com"
  2. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ^ Gretna relinquish league status, BBC Sports. Retrieved on 3 June 2008
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